You should visit your doctor and discuss this with them. They are in the best position to advise you on your capacity to work and any tasks you should modify or avoid to prevent a flare up.

If you aren’t able to go back to work at full capacity, speak to your employer and the TAC about alternative duties. Even if you aren’t ready to go back to work full-time, you may be able to return to light duties to help with your recovery.

There are no provisions in the Transport Accident Act 1986 that require an employer to keep a job open for a worker injured in a transport accident.

If your employer has indicated that they may not be able to keep your job open while you recover from your injury, you should contact the TAC to discuss what options are available.

The TAC can offer your employer a range of supports to help with your return to work. This could include a wage subsidy paid to your employer to compensate the cost of supporting you in your return to work. The TAC may also be able to offer WorkCover insurance premium protection as part of a return to work plan.

Both plans can be developed by a return to work specialist, but they have different purposes.

A vocational rehabilitation plan is designed to help you find and secure work. You might need this if you can’t return to your previous job, or if you were unemployed at the time of your accident.

A return to work plan is designed to support your return to the workplace, either with the same employer or a new one. This is signed off by your health professional and agreed to with your employer.

Sometimes, a return to work plan will form part of your vocational rehabilitation plan, once you have secured work.

If you have a flare up to your accident injury you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor should provide you with a certificate of capacity stating what impact this has had on your capacity to work.

You should contact the TAC if you have any difficulties coping with your workload or accident injury. The TAC will work with you, your doctor and your employer to find the best way of managing your return to work.

You should contact the TAC for prior approval before having any accident-related surgery.

If, after you have returned to work, you need more time off because of TAC approved surgery, you should also obtain a certificate of capacity from your doctor which details how your capacity to work is affected and how long it will be affected.

Where appropriate your return to work program will be modified to accommodate this time off. The TAC will continue to support you in your return to work as long as you have a certificate of capacity.

If you are no longer employed because of your accident injuries, the TAC can help you with job seeking services as part of a return to work program.

If you have returned to work, and then lose your job, you might also be eligible for the Safety Net Income Benefit (SNIB).

If you have lost your job because of your accident, please call us on 1300 654 329 to discuss your options.